Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to identify the impact of age-related gait features upon the perception of personality attributes, which was based on McArthur & Baron(1983)'s ecological theory of social perception. Study 1, 2, 3 were conducted to investigate the impact of age-related gait qualities on trait impressions, and to compare the results of the study 1, 2, 3 with the studies by Montepare & Zebrowitz-McArthur(1988)'s to see the cross-cultural generality in trait attribution for young gaits. It was predicted that age-related gait qualities will result in cross-culturally consistent trait attribution, but unlike the U.S. subjects, Korean subjects will perceive younger walkers to be more dominant than older walkers. In study 1, subjects observed from 6- to 72-year-old walkers depicted in point-light displays, and rated the walkers' traits, gaits, and ages. Younger walkers were perceived to be more powerful and happier than older walkers. In study 2, subjects observed young adult walkers depicted in point-light displays, than rated their trait, gaits, and ages. Consistent with the effects of real age found in study 1, young adults with youthful gaits were perceived to be more powerful and happier than peers wit older gaits. Study 3 replicated study 2 using displays showing walkers' full bodies and faces. A youthful gait predicted trait impresions even when subjects could identify the walkers' age and sex. The findings showed cross-cultural similarities in trait attribution for age-related gait qualities, hence, supported the hypothetical prediction.